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Digital Literacy and Access

Digital literacy is the ability to use the latest information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information requiring both cognitive and technical skills. Libraries are offering:

Here are some national initiatives promoting digital access and literacy to be aware of, as well.

Connect2Compete

Connect2Compete (C2C) is a national nonprofit organization bringing together leaders from communities, the private sector, and leading foundations. C2C aims to increase the use of technology and digital skills - abilities that are necessary to ensure future generations can compete in the global economy.

Connect2Compete offers:

free digital literacy training

discounted high-speed Internet for the underserved

low-cost computers for those in need

How can your library participate? Libraries can join in by adding their information to the Connect2Compete/EveryoneOn training locator database. The database lists free, local technology training and services that libraries and other agencies have available. To learn more about the project, visit the Connect2Compete website.

EveryoneOn

EveryoneOn represents a very important 3-year national digital literacy outreach campaign powered by Connect2Compete. The campaign promotes the the importance of digital literacy skills, and the availability of free training at libraries and other community agencies around the country.

The campaign kicks off on March 21, 2013. Get all the details here, and learn how your library can participate, add your library to the training locator database, and promote your local computer classes and Internet access.

The site is launching in June of 2013, and is intended to build upon and foster the work of libraries and community organizations as they work to increase digital literacy across the nation. Included in DigitalLearn.org will be a collection of self-directed tutorials for end-users to increase their digital literacy and a community of practice for digital literacy trainers to share tools and best practices.

EDGE Initiative and Benchmarks

The Edge Initiative represents the first-ever set of benchmarks for public access technology in public libraries.

Edge will help library leaders:

assess the public computers in their libraries and how they are being used

identify ways to strengthen or enhance public technology and technology training

communicate with key stakeholders on the value of the library's computers for supporting workforce development, the educational needs of students, and more